5 Comments

My InterpretationThis was a narrative about Austin talking to a homeless guy. He was very pessimistic. Austin told him about the love of Christ and how we were all made the same and he had a lot to live for as Jesus said.
The great thing is that it's a powerfully positive message behind this and is hands down my favorite song on the album besides 'Ohioisonefire'.

Song MeaningThis song is about a homeless man Austin met. The homeless man was asking Austin how he could be so happy when this world is disappointing. Austin replied by telling the homeless man to read a book (the Bible) and note the words in red (the words of Jesus). Austin promised the man he would find hope by reading this book. Towards the end of the song, Austin says, "This world is not my home, I'm just passing through." Austin has, "This world is not my home" tattooed on his chest. This part means that earth is the middle point to everyone's next home (heaven) and that we're just here for a little bit of time (passing through).
This song is often on their concert set-lists because it's very inspirational and discourages the idea of self-destruction and suicide.

General CommentBasically "The Great Hendowski" is a conversation between a homeless man and either Austin Carlile or Shayley Bourget (cannot be determined because Austin and Shayley both do vocals in the song, and the lyrics are in first person) where [Austin or Shayley] gives the homeless man a bible when he says "How can you smile...this is all we've got?" (first stanza)

[Austin or Shayley] replies by saying "read this book...note what's written in read...speaks of hope, trust and love". The book is presumably the christian holy bible because the letters in red are what Jesus Christ said, and the book does speak of hope, trust, and love.

The rest is just back and forth conversation between [Austin or Shayley] and the homeless man:
[Austin or Shayley]: "Don't speak that way...life is beauty"
Homeless man: "How can you smile when this life is all we've got?"
[Austin or Shayley]: "There's no hole...covered with love"
[Austin or Shayley]: "Don't speak that way...life is beauty"

Finally [Austin or Shayley] recapitulates by saying "This world is not my home, I'm jsut passing through. There's hope, there's love. I know there is a void. There's hope and there is love, but there's no void that can't be covered with love."

Again, basically it's [Austin or Shayley] giving a homeless man a bible when he questions the meaning or point of existence.

My Interpretationi love this song soooooo much!
I think it is talking about a guy that is really depressed and thinks that the world is meaningless. But then a man comes up and gives him a Bible and tells him to read it and discover that life has hope and is beautiful. One of their best songs in my opinion.